Budget Water Blaster for house etc, new or used?

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TeaLeaf

3679 posts

Uber Geek

#267910 17-Feb-2020 17:21

Living by the sea is great but the wind can deliver a lot of mess onto the nice exterior.

Im not familiar with PSI etc and what I should be using on weather board (James Hardie, painted). The house was planned and PMd by an architect so has all the ally extrusion over joinery and a metal gutter in the cavity so not worried about water entry, had 0 reading on extrusion test when I bought it. HRV helps inside moisture but not the glass getting dirty.

I have a LOT of glass, double glazed, which is nice for the views and indoor outdoor, but hassle for cleaning.

Any tips for easiest way to clean glass outside and then inside?

Which type of detergent for water blaster is good?

Then inside is newspaper still the best? Or window cleaner and paper towels?

In a late summer rush to get the place clean before it gets colder.

I looked at this for $99

https://www.tradetested.co.nz/gardening/outdoor-power-garden/water-blasters/electric/flash-lx1500-water-blaster-electric-1400w.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7aPyBRChARIsAJfWCgJcet4g-JxMU6gjddrQLyO1JoCZJiug-jT4Q2rXusdB2xYucrXVDqkaAhUDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have 2inches of earth retraction from the landscaping boundaries, you hit it with knuckles sounds like wood its that hard. We need rain !!!!

minimoke

738 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2423001 18-Feb-2020 09:49

For a start I'd avoid a water blaster. These things can do more harm than good. Standard old water from the hose should be good enough.

The best thing I have found for cleaning inside and out windows is something like this: https://www.cleanerswarehouse.co.nz/product-page/nilfisk-smart-window-vacuum. The Sqeegee is the most important part - the other bits you'll likely have around home already,

For the outside - A bucket of warm water with a splosh of white vinegar. Use the window washer (thing with the handle) to moisten all of glass area and to dig off hard bits like poo. The glass only needs to be damp all over - you dont need to try and soak it. Then use the squeegee to clear the liquid off the glass - this is what actually cleans the glass. I work from the top down, using horizontal strokes. Then use a microfibre cloth around the frames to remove the last bit of moisture the squeegee misses.

On the inside - same bucket but use a cloth well wrung out. It only needs to be damp. Wipe all over glass and then use squeegee to clean all moisture off glass (You only need a little bit of moisture - not dripping wet!.) Then microfiber around the frame again.

Make sure you clean glass when the sun ISN'T shining on it. You dont want teh heat to evaporate the moisture - its needed so the squeegee can clean off the dirt.

I guarantee you clean streak free glass in no time and virtually zero cost.

timmmay

16086 posts

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#2423027 18-Feb-2020 10:45

I find that a water blaster is time consuming and not very effective for this - I only use it for cleaning concrete and fences. Physically brushing your target surface is 5x more effective and 5x faster in my experience.

Use a house wash brush. I have one on a pole that has a wiper thingy on the end, I use my car wash gel as it's handy. I actually use my small car washing soft brush half the time.

JayADee

1751 posts

Uber Geek

#2423273 18-Feb-2020 15:53

timmmay:

I find that a water blaster is time consuming and not very effective for this - I only use it for cleaning concrete and fences. Physically brushing your target surface is 5x more effective and 5x faster in my experience.

Use a house wash brush. I have one on a pole that has a wiper thingy on the end, I use my car wash gel as it's handy. I actually use my small car washing soft brush half the time.

Agreed. We have a water blaster, use it for decks every couple years and fences. House wash brush and hose for the house.

TeaLeaf

3679 posts

Uber Geek

#2423426 18-Feb-2020 19:07

Depends on how you use them and the type of home you own, get to close and boom, damage on paper thin cookie cutter NZ Render. Unless its thick render on brick (which is pretty rare in Cookie cutter NZ). Id personally not WB any home without interior run off gutter or window/joinery eaves either. But for my home its perfectly fine You can also get a brush attachment if concerned. They use less water than an open hose. Its also good for cleaning decks etc. Invaluable tool if you renovate for profit, but I left my quality one in Aus with my cousin, unlikely cost effective to have it sent over.

But thats not the point, I wasnt asking whether to use one, I was just asking for good cheap budget one (lower PSI usually), not familiar with NZ brand names.

Anything up to $200 would suffice.

TeaLeaf

3679 posts

Uber Geek

#2423429 18-Feb-2020 19:09

timmmay:

Use a house wash brush. I have one on a pole that has a wiper thingy on the end, I use my car wash gel as it's handy. I actually use my small car washing soft brush half the time.

yep they are good. but blaster isnt just for the house. but thats a good budget brush I might get one anyway. Cheers

timmmay

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#2423492 18-Feb-2020 20:59

I once washed my car with the Bosch water blaster. Took ages and nowhere near as good a clean as 5 mins with a brush. Water blaster has its uses, but it's not a general purpose cleaning tool IMHO.

TeaLeaf

3679 posts

Uber Geek

#2423531 18-Feb-2020 21:45

timmmay:

I once washed my car with the Bosch water blaster. Took ages and nowhere near as good a clean as 5 mins with a brush. Water blaster has its uses, but it's not a general purpose cleaning tool IMHO.

well makes sense especially when stuff is stuck on as such, kind of like a car wash, the brush removes the dirt the water blaster does the rest and rinse. i do like the brush attachment on a water blaster though. but not like avaiable on a budget model.

its useful for speed when just getting rid of salt etc off a house but definitely needs care, especially on certain materials.